02 🐣 HYJ: December Catch-all

[monsterdaddy]

Who: Ya boy Yoojin monsterdaddy, all open prompts (so far)
When: Dec. 1-31
Where: Dawnfield Grounds (Castle), anywhere anyone's working with textiles, Tulip Barracks/Greenhouse (Castle)
What: It's a rough time of year for South Korea's most codependent older brother, and like anyone with healthy coping skills, Yoojin's burying himself in distractions. It's good to exercise your body and stretch your brain learning new skills! ...What do you mean, ignoring the problem makes it worse?
Warnings: Hella My S-Classes spoilers, a panic attack/acute mental distress, and alcohol mentioned in the Dec. 24-25 greenhouse prompt. Also Yoojin and Bulat go to the men's baths together.

A. What a Pain in the Necksercise (Dawnfield Grounds, first half of the month)

[Whatever Yoojin's doing this chilly Wilting morning--be it cardio, rehab stretches for his leg, or general strength training, and whether he's alone or has a workout buddy--all of a sudden, he stops doing it. Panting, wheezing, he lowers himself to his knees, pitches front-first into the snow, and, before anyone can worry there's something seriously wrong, rolls onto his back to COMPLAIN.]

I can't. I can't! I can't, I'm telling you, my body doesn't do that and no one can make it!

[Still, he has the strength to throw a tantrum about it, apparently.]

B. Patchy Work (Around Primavain and the Castle, Dec. 14-21ish)

(Cut for length)

[The longer the nights become, the more distracted and distant Yoojin acts. Even playing all day with the kids at Little Buds Atelier doesn't fully take the edge off his subtle, restless unhappiness. He's quick to shake it off when addressed; he seems fine as long as he's engaged with something. But left to his own devices, Yoojin often ends up staring blankly at nothing in particular.

At one point mid-month, he looks down at his cardigan--one of those signature hot pink pieces of knitwear he puts on when he's not worried about maintaining the noble ruse--and thoughtfully fingers its edge.

Sung Hyunje isn't a maker like Yoo Myungwoo. He's the strongest combat-class S-ranker in the world. Yet he was still able to create this, an item with an SS-rank skill effect, with nothing but dyed wool from dungeon sheep and a pair of needles Yoojin bought him as a joke. So even if Yoojin has no aptitude for it, even if he's not Mr. Perfect Guildmaster-Who-Can-Do-Everything...

If there's a whole school of magic here dedicated to something similar--if he works at it, like Myungwoo diligently sharpening 10,000 knives, one by one, on his foot-powered grinding stone--shouldn't he get something out of it? With no talent, it won't be like acquiring an optimal skill. It probably won't be any better than F-rank. But that's not nothing, right? If Yoojin could, himself, create something to give his loved ones, something tangible that will stay with them even when they're apart, that could transfer them just a little bit of warmth or protection... shouldn't he at least try?

Not knitting, though. Seriously, he does not need to be comparing his own work to Sung Hyunje's, ever. He should build on something he already knows how to do. Sewing, maybe? Yoojin's not good at it by any means, but as long as he follows a pattern and practices, even he should improve. Right, there was that tomato charm embroidered onto Bulat's pillow in the infirmary, so, hm, maybe...]

[Musings like that lead to Yoojin poking his head into Marigold Hall and String & Soul, or coming to attention when he sees someone working with fabric around the castle. He might have a basket on his arm. It might be adorable.]

Oh, hey! I mean, excuse me. [He clears his throat.] I'm thinking of taking up a crafting project. If you have any, ah, scraps you can't do anything else with, or even fluff or loose ends--or you end up with stuff that as you go--I'd be happy to take them off your hands. I-it can be an exchange if you want!

C. Won't Be Home for Christmas (Tulip barracks --> Everbloom Greenhouse, very, very late on Dec. 24/very, very early Dec. 25)

(Cut for length; CW: panic attack, alcohol mentioned)

[Gasping, Yoojin hurls the winter blankets off himself and lurches upright in the middle of his bed. He's both sweating and shivering, and it takes a few moments for the slightly floral air and the feel of the sheets clutched in his frozen fingers to remind him where he is. Rosavelle. It's been almost two months, and he's still here.

The nightmares were getting better. As his leg healed, at least he'd stopped dreaming so much about the miserable five years he'd wound back. About limping through life with his head low, trying to avoid the kicks and curses. But tonight--tonight--

The stench of venom, blood, and scorched rock still burns in his nostrils. Strangely, so does the reek of soju and his own bitter resentment. So does the frigid bite of snow in the air, as sharp against his throat as a knife.

His own voice haunts him. 'Happy birthday... you big jerk of a brother...'

Yoojin takes a shuddering breath, smothers a small noise into his clammy palm. He has to get out of here. He has to go--somewhere else--

To the closest place he can get to Yoohyun.]

[He throws on the jacket that boosts the rank of his stealth skill to S and sneaks out of Tulip, nigh imperceptible. Still, with his cane (he hasn't needed it lately, but he can hardly walk now), he leaves a distinctive trail in the snow: footprint, footprint, small divot. Footprint, footprint, small divot, repeated until they reach the entrance to the Everbloom's greenhouse.

There. Yoojin finds his plot, finds the azure flowers blooming there, untouched by the cold outside--like plum blossoms that never lose their scent. He releases his skill and lowers himself to his knees before the flowers, letting out a shaking breath.

He knows what day it is, roughly. What it'd be on Earth, anyway. Given how poorly as he's been sleeping, he's been awake to notice how short the days are, how long the nights. Even if his haphazard math, more instinct than calculation, isn't accurate, who can say that he's wrong? In this place so unfathomably far from home, the only calendar that marks Han Yoohyun's birth is the one written into Yoojin.

Rationally, he knows he hasn't missed the date. As far as his world is concerned, he isn't even gone. But.

'It's probably better that we don't have to worry about people back home missing us but... it doesn't help us when we're missing them, huh?']

Yoohyun--

[Some frayed, slender thread pulled breathlessly tight inside Yoojin finally snaps. A low noise burbles out of him. Then another. Yoojin's back bows until his hands touch the earth, and further still, until his hair brushes the ground with each sob. Yoojin cries in earnest, not like a man whose heart is breaking, but like a child, abandoned and alone in the cold.

He didn't want to miss his brother's birthday again. A ninth Christmas in a row.

He didn't want one more orphaned year that no one will remember when he returns, but him.]

Comments

A

[steel_over_blood]

Of course it can! Pushing yourself to the limit is how you improve!

[ Case in point, Bulat's doing one-handed pushups on the arm with all the puncture scars on it while he's shouting at Yoojin. In deference to the cold, he's wearing a shirt. A sleeveless shirt, but a shirt nonetheless. ]

[monsterdaddy]

[Yoojin musters the strength to lift his hand and let it flop back into the snow for punctuation. Paff.]

Pushing yourself to the limit is also how you die, Bulat. That's what makes it a limit!

[^ guy who oughta know.

Yoojin is also, of course, wearing a shirt. His has full-length sleeves. He's always quite scrupulous about covering up, sorry to say.]

[steel_over_blood]

That's why you hit those limits in safe, controlled conditions! Ten more won't kill you, Han Yoojin!

[ Someone has to make up for Bulat's comparative lack of modesty. Once Budding Season hits, it's all over. With the amount of sweat pouring off of him, he might as well be in a wet T-shirt contest. All this limit talk isn't just lip service, he's giving it his all. ]

[monsterdaddy]

Uuuuggghh, this is worse than the service!

[No it isn't. Military service sucked. Groaning, Yoojin rolls back onto his front and--well, first he kicks his legs like a nap-deprived toddler. But then he does get back into position for push-ups. Normal push-ups. He is not Bulat.]

What're you gonna do if my arms fall off, huh? Peace will eat you alive if he can't get dad cuddles!

[O...ne. Yoojin's limp noodle arms are already trembling, and the scar on his chest protests.]

simply having a wonderful christmastime... ha... ha...

[gal_paladin]

[There is someone there, looking after the geraniums. Clad in her civilian clothes, the familiar beret, the scarf, the coat. Someone who could not help but hear the sob.

Someone who could not bear to hear someone sobbing on Christmas.

There is a shadow behind Yoojin, and then a familiar voice.]

If you were me in that situation you'd go out of your ever loving mind, huh.

[monsterdaddy]

Auhugh--

[Yoojin jumps, making a particularly gross and ugly noise through his snot. He immediately brings an arm up to hide his face, and the sobs choke off to tiny, swallowed sounds.]

Fuck. Don't--sorry. [For the cursing. He bites his lip and holds his breath, trying for a couple seconds to stop crying. When that fails, he lets out in a rush:] Please, don't--don't look at me right now.

[gal_paladin]

[Alesha nods, turning away, but not leaving.]

Take as much time as you need to put your face on. I’m not going anywhere.

A

[smoothas]

Himnaeyo. Jjolji ma!

[Cindy is not exactly a harsh teacher, but even this has her looking down at her new friend with a bit of a frown. She isn't going to escape the Ajumma accusations after an outburst like that, and calling him a weenie even playfully is not going to help her case.

She sticks out her hand to haul him up.]

It's just some cardio, Yoojin. We can start slower if you need, but c'mon.

[monsterdaddy]

I do plenty of cardio running from monsters, why do I have to do more?

[But he does accept the help back up. Something about himnaeyo lights a little spark of something in him.

But, like. A little.]

I have F-rank stats, you know? F-rank! I have the physical constitution of a marshmallow. No, even a marshmallow will get tougher with a little heat. I'll just melt straight away, without developing any toasty goodness on the outside at all!

[smoothas]

And how do you improve F-rank to A-rank, Yoojin. With hard work and practice.

[She rights him, even giving a little pat on the back.

...He's pretty cute most of the time, but the tantrum is a little silly.]

I'm not asking for anything that's extreme, I promise.

a

[veryfarfromme]

[huh. Would you look at that.]

Wow, reminds me of the red sisters that didn't like doing their training, too.

[She admits aloud, leaning over some to watch Yoojin's tantrum on the ground.]

You know what you could do in a time like this...

[monsterdaddy]

Hm? What?

[He does not seem ashamed at all to be caught whining.]

C (Silk)

[smoothas]

[Silk isn't following Yoojin at all. She's just coming back in from a patrol, swinging back across the town all the grace and agility spider-totems are known for. She's spinning her webs, coming in for a landing atop one of the castle walls. Landing in a crouch, she peers over the wall and looks down for signs of life. The last time she'd been caught was embarrassing, so she's not going to risk it a second time.

And it's probably fate that has her looking down at Yoojin, inside the greenhouse, clearly distressed. That tugs at something, and she leaps in. Landing lightly on the rooftop, she opens one of the panels and slips inside, dropping silently onto the ground nearby.]

...You okay, dude?

[monsterdaddy]

EEK!!

[Two things happen. Yoojin throws himself to the side, away from Silk, while an honest-to-god dagger materializes in his hand. It's not some RenFest prop, nor is it anything he could have picked up around Rosavelle. That's a blade made for combat in the modern era.

At the same time, he invisibly activates a certain skill. His puffy, teary eyes widen.]

...C-Cindy?

[smoothas]

[The knife isn't really a big deal, her fingers flick up ready to web it out of his grip if he makes a move with it. The name is what widens her eyes a bit.]

...How'd you know it was me?!

December 26th onward, Castle

[monsterdaddy]

[Did y'all know Yoojin landed himself a temp job on Bellvine Hill? (How would you, I only came up with it just now.) He heard from a fellow volunteer at the Little Buds Atelier that an older resident on the hill took a spill on the ice; while she's in no grave danger herself, she was having trouble caring for the small flock of sheep she keeps as pets and olde-timey lawn mowers. Naturally, the Baronet Ser Han Yoojin, Master of the Stables and Menagerie of his Lord Courtesy, the Earl Han Yoohyun swung by to see how he could help.

In return, the dignified old lady has been teaching him a few things he can do with wool and thread. Catch him in either the Hearthsong Salon by day or the Stag's Rest Lounge after dark with a handmade felt ball. He might be recreating the warming charm he learned at the Forge in painstaking, but clumsy embroidery stitches, over and over again, to see if he can get it working.

Or, if you catch Yoojin on a particularly quiet, snowy day, you might just catch him using felting needles to sculpt on a beak and a pair of stubby wings, resulting in an extremely spherical bird. He smiles to himself as he works, even when it comes out wonky, and holds it up to the light with a chuckle.]

Well, it's a lot cheaper to feed than the real thing.

borb

[veryfarfromme]

[Passing through was Fixer - she's been quietly observing things for a while now. And Yoojin is no different, except for that little creation of his. Things usually don't interest her enough to stop, but this brings her to a pause.]

What.

[She approaches. Her hand slowly raises to point at the results of Yoojin's work in his hands.]

Is that?

[monsterdaddy]

[With more cheer in his smile than he's shown lately, he holds the borb next to his face.]

This is Peep-Peep! A handmade toy version, anyway. She's... well, some kind of bird.

[Yoojin thrusts the felt Peep-Peep towards Fixer in both hands.]

Here, want to hold her? It's basically life-size!

bird at night

[batlan]

[ Ororon has this habit of practically materializing beside people. one would think a very tall, very bat-eared fellow with heterochromia and a tattoo on his face would be easily spotted and recognized by the locals - especially as a blot of dark wool against a sea of the springtime pastels more typical of these lands - so... must be one of those Night-Wind mysteries.

but he's too fascinated when he sees Yoojin hard at work to interrupt, so he settles into a bit of shadow to watch the other man's fingers at work for a moment, recognizing the clumsy movements of a learner in the beginning stages of perfecting a craft. Ororon's been there many times, making a far worse mess of the tribe's carefully dyed alpaca wools than Yoojin is doing now with his felt critter. fibercraft is a tricky and sensitive art, in Ororon's opinion.

he is respectfully silent until the felt beak goes on, and the wonky little bird ball is held up to the firelight. Ororon claps his hands! ]

The little guy looks just like Cacucu! Just a bit, um...

[ uhh misshapen? hm, ]

Different. Cacucu is a little bigger. And pinker. And he's missing one eye. [ Ororon points at his blue eye. ] This one.

But yeah, just like him!

[monsterdaddy]

[For once, Yoojin doesn't startle out of his skin. Ororon is a friendly, welcome presence in general; why shouldn't he be in this case, too?]

Oh! Is Cacucu a bird? I was picturing something more like--uhh, more reptilian?

[On account of the -saur ending.

Yoojin doesn't even ask if Ororon wants to see. He just hands the ball of felt right over.]

This is Peep-Peep! A friend from home.

[plangona]

[octavia is wandering around exploring a bit more when she spots yoojin. he definitely looks preoccupied with something but that doesn't hold her back from approaching him, curious as he what was even doing] What is that?

[monsterdaddy]

Hey, Octavia! I'm, uh. Well, practicing Bloomcraft, I guess. Or trying to.

[He shows her the felt ball. An entire hemisphere is covered in embroidered versions of the Imprintwork warming charm.]

Though mostly I feel like I'm just poking myself in the fingers a lot.

A

[nightwild]

[Yayoi's managed to get some workout clothes, and she's got her hair tied up behind her as she's doing a light jog. She's been working with Yoojin, trying to get him in shape, but...]

... Come on, that must have taken way more energy than it took to just keep going.

[monsterdaddy]

[Pant. Pant. Wheeze. Yoojin lifts a finger to point at nothing in particular.]

You know how girls say they have a separate stomach for sweets? I have a backup battery for complaining. I can be half-dead and still find something to gripe about with my last breath.

[nightwild]

I've never understood that... I only have one stomach.

[is she not girly enough? is that the problem? she has to think about this. but in the meantime...]

... You really think you're done here?